Trekking in Bhutan
Saturday, 31 March - Saturday, 7 April 2012
Leader: Mr. Peter Laverick, Council Member
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The Siam Society will organise a trekking trip on a section of the Druk Path Trek in Bhutan from Saturday 31 March to Saturday 7 April. The trip will be limited to 16 people.
After two day's acclimatisation around Paro we will be trekking for four days, followed by one day sightseeing in Thimpu and Paro, where we will be just in time to see the end of the Paro Tsechu Festival. For three nights during the trek we will be staying at camp sites eating basic local food prepared by our guides. The trek is a moderate high altitude trek but not strenous. Each day we will be walking for up to five hours along trails rather than roads, so there is not an option to take motorised transport. We will have porters and pack-horses, so you will only need to carry things you need during the day. Our maximum elevation will be about 3,962 metres, reached on the second day of the trek.
The trail we will be following is the Tshaluna Trek, which is a a section of the Druk Path Trek. This exciting trip combines an appreciation of Bhutan’s cultural attractions with a moderate trek along a mountain ridge between the Paro and Thimpu valleys of western Bhutan. This trek offers scenic panoramic vistas of sacred Chomolhari (7,300m) and other peaks plus views of the valleys themselves. The trekking route cuts through dense, lush forests offering a taste of the great variety of Bhutanese landscape.
You don’t need to be a mountaineer with rippling muscles to enjoy trekking. If you are reasonably fit, have a spirit of adventure and are not afraid of walking, you qualify. All you have to do on the trail is concentrate on putting one foot before the other.
Our guides will provide equipment like sleeping bags, foam mattresses and tents. All you need to bring are your personal wear like walking boots and sandshoes, a water-and wind-proof jacket, woolen shirts, T-shirts, a thick pullover, shorts/skirts and trousers/track suit. Cottons are best for lower and warmer altitudes. Also don’t forget a water bottle, Swiss army knife, torch light with spare batteries, extra boot laces, sun glasses, sun cream and personal medical supplies.
The tentative programme will be as follows:
Day 1: Saturday, 31 March. Fly fom Bangkok to Paro (by Druk Air). |
| We will take a morning flight to Paro on the national carrier, Druk Air. The journey offers us wonderful views of the Himalayas and an exciting descent into Bhutan. We will be met on arrival and transferred to our hotel to settle in. After lunch visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum. The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Overnight at Hotel Olathang or Hotel Janka Resort. (Altitude of Paro: 2,280m). |
Day 2: Sunday, 1 April. Paro (hike to Taktsang Monastery) |
| Day excursion to Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest (3,150m), the most spectacular monastery and probably the most photographed one in Bhutan, in a way a symbol of Bhutan. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery hence it is called “Tiger’s Nest”. The excursion to the monastery’s view point takes about 5 hours for the round trip. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria, followed by a short walk back. (Altitude of Paro: 2,280m). |
Day 3: Monday, 2 April. Paro – Jele Dzong (start trek / 5 hours hiking) |
| You will meet your trekking staff, the horsemen and pack animals above the National Museum, where we start the trek.
Today’s trek climbs non-stop over 1,065 metres, before dropping down over 80 metres to the camp. The trail winds its way through blue pine forest and around several farmhouses and fenced apple orchard. After an hour or so there will be nice views over the Paro valley. The trail continues steadily up through fir, bamboo and hemlock forest. If the weather is clear the surrounding mountains can be seen. The campsite is near the old Jele Dzong. You may be able to hear the monks playing instruments in the monastery during one of their evening prayer sessions. (Altitude of the camp 3,436 metres) |
Day 4: Tuesday, 3 April Jele Dzong – Tshokam (5 hours hiking) |
| We begin with the climb back to the ridge and the small pass leading to Jele Dzong (3,595 m). Visit the Jele monastery. Leaving the dzong the trail goes north with the great views, looking towards Paro far below and, while in the distance stand the snowy peaks on the border of Tibet, including Mt. Chomolhari. The trail then ascend gradually upwards through a thick alpine forests and rhododendrons. You may hear some monal pheasants calling during the day. You may see yak herders around your campsite. (Altitude of the camp 3,962 metres) |
Day 5: Wednesday, 4 April Tshokam – Tshaluna (4 hours hiking) |
| The first part of today’s hike is steeply downhill for about an hour until you reach the Naripang Zam (bridge). The hike is through thick vegetation and the trail follows Bimelang Chhu (stream) until we arrive Tshaluna village. (Altitude 2,800 metres). |
Day 6: Thursday, 5 April Tshaluna – Jemina (finish trek), transfer to Thimphu |
| Trek about 3 hours to Jemina or Gida village, where our transport will be waiting to take us to Thimphu, capital city of Bhutan. After lunch spend the afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu. |
Day 7: Friday 6 April Thimphu - Paro. |
| After an early breakfast we will transfer to Paro, where we will spend the day witnessing the final day of the Paro Tsechu Festival. People come from neighbouring districts to participate in the festivity. |
Day 8: Saturday, 7 April. Paro – Bangkok (by Druk Air) |
| After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight back to Bangkok. |
Notes.
1. Flights to Bhutan get booked up very early, so please book your place as soon as possible.
2. The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.
3. This trip is not suitable for persons not in good physical condition and is open to members and spouses only.
Booking
The total contribution is 108,500 baht per person, of which 30,000 baht (non refundable) is required at the time of booking. Please add 2,500 baht for single room supplement, not applicable for the trekking nights. Payment in full is due by Wednesday, 29 February. Your contribution will cover all transportation, accommodation (two people per room), all meals in Bhutan, airport taxes in Thailand and Bhutan, donation to the Siam Society, and other costs incurred to make this trip possible. Members must submit a copy of passports at the Siam Society when they make their initial booking.
All visitors to Bhutan must hold passport valid for at least six months. Participants should understand that accommodation, food, transportation and other services, arranged by the state-run Bhutan Tourism Board, will be consistent with the best Bhutanese standards. Anticipating that arrangements may not always meet expectation, however, members should be prepared for adventure.
Cancellation charge:
Cancellation after booking air ticket: Deposit forfeited
30 days before the start of the trip: 50 % forfeited.
Within 20 days of the start of the trip: NO REFUND
The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary. Seats are limited. Please book your place as soon as possible.
For further information and bookings please contact Khun Prasert (ext. 504) or Khun Ekkarin (ext. 506) on 0 2661 6470-7, fax 0 2258 3491 or e-mail: ekkarin@siam-society.org. Office hours: 9:00am.–5:00pm. Tuesday–Saturday (except holidays).